Driver interface system for vehicle control parameters and easy to utilize switches

ABSTRACT

An improved driver interface system provides prompts to an operator to adjust several vehicle parameters. In this way, the operator is assured to adjust the necessary components upon start up of the vehicle. This is particularly important when the driver is unfamiliar with the car, as with a rental car. In one embodiment, the driver may be provided with a transmitter that stores desired settings for at least some parameters. The transmitter can then transmit the operator&#39;s desired parameters to a control, and the vehicle components can then begin to be moved to the desired positions as the operator approaches the vehicle. In other aspects of this invention, improved switches are disclosed. A rotary switch rotates on a steering wheel rim. This switch is easily accessible to an operator, and does not require the operator to divert attention from the road. A second type switch includes an element which is sensitive to touch by the operator. In this way, the operator can easily set a desired level by simply touching the switch. This type switch has particular benefits in cruise control systems, or in systems for positioning vehicle components such as windows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vehicle interface system for prompting adriver to set vehicle control parameters to those preferred by anindividual driver. In addition, specific switches are disclosed whichare easier to utilize than existing switches.

In the prior art, vehicles are being provided with more and more controlfeatures. Thus, many vehicle control parameters are moveable to variouspositions, or adjustable to various levels, for accommodating aparticular driver. As an example, the position of the mirrors, theseats, the steering wheel, etc. may all be tailored to a particulardriver. The level of other parameters, such as temperature, lighting,audio level are also adjustable. Some vehicles are now provided with theability to move to memory positions tailored to an individual operatorfor some parameters.

Problems exist, however, in that a driver first entering a vehicle maynot remember to adjust each of the parameters to desired positionsbefore beginning to operate the vehicle. As an example a driver maydrive a rental car a number of miles before recognizing that theposition of the mirrors is not as desired. This is potentially a safetyhazard. In addition, it is somewhat time consuming for an operator tomove each of the parameters to a desired location or level upon enteringa new vehicle.

The known memory locations set within a vehicle are typically actuatedby a switch within the vehicle. Thus, the operator must have typicallyentered the vehicle before the components begin to move to the memorypositions. If two drivers who frequently use the same vehicle are atextremes in height, it could be difficult when the taller driverattempts to enter the vehicle which has his seat set for the shorterdriver. Thus, there are some deficiencies in placing memory actuationswitches within the vehicle.

Moreover, and generally, known switches provided to an operator of avehicle to actuate systems such as cruise control, or the position of awindow, are somewhat difficult to use. In many cases, to operate theknown switches efficiently a driver must direct attention from the road.This is, of course, undesirable. It would be desirable to provideswitches which do not require the driver's attention to leave the road.

Moreover, in many known vehicle switching systems, it is difficult toprecisely achieve a desired level. As one example, in cruise controlsystems the operator must manually adjust the speed through theaccelerator pedal to reach a desired speed. The operator then actuatesthe cruise control system to enter this desired speed. This manualsetting may sometimes result in the operator having some difficultyreaching a precise desired speed.

Single touch actuation of window settings are typically full up or fulldown. To reach an intermediate position, the operator has been requiredto hold the switch until the exact desired intermediate position isreached, and then release the switch. Again, this type of switch makesits somewhat difficult to reach a precise desired position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, an interface system forsetting vehicle control parameters prompts the driver through a seriesof settings upon entering the vehicle. The interface system may promptthe driver to set the position of the seats, mirrors, etc. The interfacesystem may also be provided with a second, optional, set of prompts toposition secondary characteristics such as interior lighting level,volume of audio system, etc.

In other features of this invention, an interface system is providedthat is somewhat universal. The driver is provided with a key fob, orother device that stores and transmits the individual positions of theseveral control parameters desired by the driver. The driver may actuatethe key fob when approaching, or entering, the vehicle. The control forthe interface system captures the signals, and the control parametersare then adjusted to the drivers desired settings. This reduces the timenecessary to set the parameters to those desired by the operator whenentering a new vehicle, such as a rental car.

The key fob storing the driver's preferences may also be used withoutthe interface system. The invention can be used to allow a vehicle tobegin moving to preset memory positions even before the driver entersthe car. This portion of the invention may replace, or supplement,vehicle mounted memory switches.

In other features of this invention, unique switches are disclosed whichare more easy to utilize, and are less likely to distract the driver'sattention from the road. In one embodiment, a rotary switch is mounteddirectly on the rim of the steering wheel. The driver need only rotatethe rotary switch which is adjacent to the location of the driver'shand. Positioning the rotary switch on the steering wheel rim thusallows an operator to easily adjust control parameters. The switch hasbenefits both within, and separate from, the above described interfacesystem.

A second inventive switch type allows an operator to touch a position onthe switch and easily and accurately set a control parameter. This touchswitch is provided by a resistance bar potentiometer, or a standardtouch screen type element, or other position sensing elements.

In one application, the touch switch is utilized to allow an operator toset the desired speed for a cruise control system. A speedometer isprovided with the touch element. An operator touches an area on thetouch element corresponding to the desired speed. A signal is sent tomove the vehicle to the speed corresponding to the location where theoperator has touched the screen. This allows the operator to veryprecisely set the desired speed. This is an improvement over the priorart that required manual speed adjustment through the accelerator toreach a desired speed.

A second application of this type switch, is disclosed for controlling aparameter, such as the portion of a window. This allows the operator toquickly and accurately select an intermediate position between the fullup full down positions for the window.

This touch switch can also be utilized to provide control sequentiallyfor a number of different applications. A second switch can be providedadjacent to the touch switch wherein the second switch can be actuatedto change the parameter which is to be controlled by the touch switch.In this way, a single touch switch is able to control several differentvehicle control parameters.

In the disclosed switches, the movement to the specific controlparameter may be ramped. Thus, if an operator inadvertently actuates aswitch, it does not result in, for example, the vehicle rapidlyincreasing its speed up to an inadvertently set high speed.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, of which the following isa brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an interface system incorporating thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is a detail of a switch shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a cross sectional view through a portion of the FIG. 1bswitch.

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view showing another switch embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a first screen according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B shows a screen subsequent to that shown in FIG. 2a.

FIG. 3 shows a switching system which may be a part of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a switching system utilized for another application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A shows a vehicle based system 20 incorporating a display 22 thatis at least partially reconfigurable. Thus, the display 22 may be a LCD,LED or other type reconfigurable display to carry changing information.A speedometer portion 24 may include a touch screen portion. Thisportion may or may not be permanent, and may or may not bereconfigurable. The remainder of display 22 is preferablyreconfigurable. Moreover, the entire display 22 including thespeedometer could be made reconfigurable. A control 26 communicates withthe display 22 and also communicates signals to and from components on avehicle. The control is operable to send signals to adjust the positionof vehicle components, and the operation levels of vehicle systems, suchas temperature, etc.

Display 22 is shown displaying a prompt 28 to adjust the location of avehicle seat, a prompt 30 to adjust the volume of the radio, and prompts32 and 34 to adjust the position of side and rear mirrors. It should beunderstood that other prompts may be included, and those specificallydisclosed here are for illustration purposes. In FIG. 1A, the prompt 28is shown highlighted. Upon entry into a vehicle, control 26 maysequentially highlight the prompts 28, 30, 32, 34 such as shown in FIG.1A. The prompts remain lit until an operator adjusts the highlightedparameter, and enters the new setting. The control then highlights thenext prompt. In this way, an operator entering the vehicle is providedthe opportunity to adjust the position of the seats, the mirrors, etc.

In the prior art, no such prompting was provided. In the past, anoperator may have entered a new car with which the driver is unfamiliarand driven for a number of miles before recognizing that one of thecomponents should be repositioned. It would be desirable to do allrequired positioning prior to beginning to drive the car.

In one optional feature, a key fob 35, or other signalling device, maybe provided with a memory and an actuation or set button forcommunicating with control 26 through a receiver 36. If the driverinterface system is standard on vehicles, then a rental car could beprovided with a receiver 36, and a driver may carry an individual keyfob 35 that stores the driver's individual selections for the variouscontrol parameters. By actuating the key fob when approaching a new car,the driver is able to send a signal to the control 26 that will begin tomove components to the desired position even before the driver reachesthe car.

A driver who has set the individual preferences within the vehicle mayactuate the memory button on key fob 35, which then moves the key fob 35into a learning mode. Information may then be communicated from thecontrol 26 to the key fob such that the key fob can capture the settingsset by the individual operator. Again, the specific components thatwould be necessary to achieve this function are well within the skill ofa worker in the art. With such a preset key fob, a user of a vehiclewill be able to begin moving the vehicle components to presetpreferences when approaching the vehicle. This provides a moreconvenient way of achieving memory positions for drivers who arefrequently moving a single car between two positions. As an example, iftwo individuals often use the same car, but are at opposite extremes atheight, this system will allow the taller individual to begin moving theseat to a desired rearward position before entering the vehicle and asapproaching the vehicle. In this way, the adjustment of the vehiclecomponents may be done more quickly, efficiently, and comfortably.

The use of this key fob is optional. The main feature of the interfaceaspect of the invention is provide to the driver with prompts for theposition and level of vehicle control parameters. The operator is thenprovided the opportunity to adjust those parameters. A switch isgenerally required to adjust the parameters. Steering wheel 37 is shownmounting an inventive rotary switch 38 on its rim 37.

While electrical switches are disclosed in this application, it shouldbe understood that optical fiber signalling, radio frequency signalling,or other non-electrical wire type switching can be utilized with theinventive switch.

As shown in FIG. 1B, rim 37 includes a switch 38. Switch 38 is shown asa rotating switch. By rotating the rotary switch, a signal to adjustvehicle components can be sent.

As shown in FIG. 1C, switch 38 may rotate with electrical contacts 38Cthat moves along an electrical contact 39. The contact 39 may be mountedon a base or core 41 within the hub 37. Other contacts 43 may be used toselect a system to be controlled by the switch. In this way, a signal issent to the control 26 that is indicative of the amount of movement ofthe switch 38. The necessary controls and electrical structure for thecontacts 38C, 39 and 43 are well within the skill of a worker in theart, and the illustrated structure is shown only as an example. Thefunction of the switch can be to provide digital, analog, or any otherswitching feedback. As can be seen from FIG. 1C, the switch 38 rotatesabout the core 41 such that the switch generally rotates about thecircumfrence of the wheel 37. That is, at the location where the switch38 is mounted, the circumfrence is generally perpendicular to the planein which the switch 38 is rotating. It is the positioning of the switchon the rim 37 which is inventive in this application. By positioning theswitch directly on the rim, and making it rotate about the rim, thepresent invention provides a switch which is easily reached and actuatedby an operator, without diverting the operator's attention from theroad.

FIG. 1D shows another feature in which a switch 80 includes a rotatingswitch portion 82 as in the prior embodiment. An inner contact area 84has an contact face 85 facing a contact member 86. Contact member 86 hasa contact face 87 facing contact face 85. A spring 88 biases contactface 85 out of contact with face 87. When an operator wishes to make amomentary contact as to send a signal to control a vehicle function,member 82 is moved axially towards member 86 against the force of spring88. Contact face 85 is brought into contact with contact face 87, and asignal is sent. The connections, etc., necessary to achieve such asignal are well within the skill of a worker in the art.

Again, the above-described switch embodiments may be electrical, or maybe other type signalling devices. Moreover, many switching functions canbe controlled with a single switch. As is known in the field ofswitches, plural contacts having variable resistance along their facecan be utilized with these embodiments. Again, it is the placement ofthe switch at the particular location which is the inventive aspect ofthese type switches.

Also, while particular switches are disclosed in combination with theinventive control parameters of this application, it should beunderstood that other standard switches can also be utilized to selectthe control parameters in the parameter selection aspects of thisapplication. The inventive switches are disclosed as presently preferredembodiments, however, other types of switches, including standard knownswitches can also be utilized.

FIG. 2A shows a set of primary vehicle position prompts 40 on thereconfigurable display. The prompts shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B differ fromthose shown in FIG. 1A, and show another alternative. The prompts mayinitially highlight the position 42 for the location of a seat betweenforward and rear positions. In addition, an instruction prompt 44 may bedisplayed to tell the operator to adjust the wheel switch (38) to adjustthe seat position. The operator may also be provided with switches thatallow entry of a new selected position 46, the setting of a memory 47,and also request that the display move to a secondary screen 48.Switches 46, 47, 48 could be standard switches, or could be touch screentype switches. As shown at 50, after setting parameter 42, screen 40 maymove to the positioning of the rear view mirror and the side view mirrorsequentially. Switch 38, or any other switch, may be operable tosequentially adjust ends of these parameters. Appropriate controls wouldreceive the signal from switch 38 as instructions to change theparticular parameter which is highlighted at the time.

The prompts may be such as shown in FIG. 2A, wherein only one of theprompts is displayed fully at one time, or they could all be displayedat one time as shown in FIG. 1A. The exact details are well within theability of a worker of ordinary skill in the art, and many modificationswould be apparent.

If the operator then requests the secondary screen, a screen 52 as shownin FIG. 2B is then brought up. The secondary features may include thevolume 54 of the sound system, the lighting level 56 for the interior ofthe vehicle, and the temperature 58 of the vehicle. An enter button 46,and memory button 47 may be placed on the screen to allow the operatorto enter any position after setting.

As shown in FIG. 3, the speedometer 24 can be provided with a touchscreen portion 60. This allows selection of the speed as for use in acruise control system. As shown, a desired speed has been touched at 62and is thus highlighted. Control 26 will take this as an input. Asshown, a digital readout may also be provided such that the selectedspeed is shown. Further, the standard resume switch 66, may be providedfor resuming the prior selected speed in the event the system has movedaway from the cruise speed, as when the brakes are applied.

The screen 60 may be a touch screen-type element wherein a fine grid ofelectrical controls is provided such that the operator has the abilityto select within one to two miles per hour. Alternatively, a resistancebar potentiometer wherein the position of the contact is sensed due tothe resistance through the element may be substituted. Either typeelement is technically known in and of itself; it is the application ofsuch elements in this type switch which is inventive. Moreover, thebasic inventive concept extends to other position sensors incorporatedinto such switching systems. Among the other types of known sensors areoptical devices, capacitors, inductive signalling devices, wave bouncedevices, obstructive devices, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, a switch 68 may be provided with a touch element 70,which may be a resistance bar or a touch screen, or other positionsensor element. As shown, a central position 72 has been touched andhighlighted. Switch 68 may be associated with a vehicle windowpositioning control. Typically, vehicle window positioning controls onlyprovide full up or full down positions with a single touch. To select anintermediate position, the operator must hold the button and thenrelease it at the desired location. With applicant's invention, theoperator may touch a desired intermediate position such as position 72.The control then drives the window to the intermediate position.

As shown, a second switch 74 may be associated with the switch 68. Thesecond switch 74 is a function switch that allows one to change thefunction that is to be controlled by the main touch switch 68. Thus, asan example, switch 68 could be utilized to control radio volume,temperature, cruise control speed, etc. Switch 68 can be providedindividually without the secondary button 74 to control a singlecomponent. It should also be understood that a plurality of switches 68could be provided with each of the switches associated with a particularcomponent, such as one switch 68 for each of the four windows typicallyfound in a vehicle.

Further, single touch switches 75 and 76 can be placed adjacent theextreme ends of touch element 70. The switches 75 and 76 can provide asingle touch movement to the extreme for the component which iscontrolled by the switch 68. That is, rather than selecting anintermediate position as by the touch element 70, occasionally it may bedesired to have the component moved immediately to one extreme or theother. The switches 75 and 76 allow this movement to be selected andachieved. Again, the switches are connected with known structure to becapable of driving the particular component.

The switches shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are preferably provided with asurface covering that provides good tactile contact. This ensures thatthe operator's finger is unlikely to slip when pressing against thetouch element 60 or 70.

The controls necessary for achieving the above-described functions mayall be provided with standard controllers and appropriate software. Itis the unique functions and applications provided by the interfacesystem control which are unique, and not the control structure itself.

However, the switches 38 and the switch system shown FIGS. 3 and 4 areunique. These switches have applications outside of the interface system20 such as shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A and 2B. Moreover, although only theinventive switches are shown being utilized with the interface system,the interface system can incorporate other type switches.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed.However, a worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thatcertain modifications come within the scope of this invention. For thatreason, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

We claim:
 1. A control system for a vehicle comprising:a display toconvey information to an operator of a vehicle; a controller for saiddisplay, said controller storing a list of parameters to be set, saidcontroller being operable to display prompts to an operator to setlevels for each of said parameters on said display, said parametersincluding at least mirror and seat positions, and said promptsrequesting the operator to adjust said mirror and seat positions withoutrequiring the operator to request the prompts be displayed; a switchingsystem operable by an operator to set levels for said parameters; andsaid control communicating with components on the vehicle such that saidcontrol can move the components to the set level.
 2. A system as recitedin claim 1, wherein said prompts include a first set of primary promptsincluding at least seat position and mirror position.
 3. A system asrecited in claim 2, wherein a secondary set of prompts may also beselected by an operator, said secondary set of prompts including volumeof an audio system and temperature.
 4. A system as recited in claim 1,wherein said switching system includes a rotary switch mounted on a rimof a steering wheel.
 5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein saidswitching system includes a touch element allowing an operator to toucha location to set the desired level of a control parameter.
 6. A systemas recited in claim 1, wherein a separate remote transmitter is providedto an operator, said transmitter storing previously selected parametersettings for the operator, said transmitter being operable tocommunicate said settings to said controller, said controller moving thevehicle components to said settings upon receipt of said transmittedsignals.
 7. A method of operating a vehicle comprising the steps of:(1)providing a display and a controller for said display, said controllerbeing operable to display prompts to an operator to request an operatorto set desired levels for several vehicle parameters, including at leastseat and mirror positions, and providing a switching system to allow anoperator to adjust the level of said parameters upon receiving saidprompts, said controller being provided with the ability to thencommunicate said levels to the vehicle components and cause adjustmentof vehicle components as necessary; (2) identifying an entry into thevehicle, and then utilizing said control to display prompts requestingan operator to adjust the levels of said parameters; (3) adjusting thelevels of said parameters utilizing said switching system; and (4)sending a signal to actuate the vehicle components to the newly selectedlevel.
 8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said switching systemincludes a rotary switch mounted on a steering wheel hub of a vehicle,and the steps of adjusting the parameter levels include turning saidswitch on said hub.
 9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein saidswitching system includes a touch screen element which may be touched ata desired location for setting a parameter.
 10. A method as recited inclaim 7, wherein display of prompts of step (2) is made withoutrequiring an operator to initiate a request for said display.
 11. Aswitching system for a vehicle comprising:a vehicle steering wheelhaving an outer rim, said rim defining a perimeter of said wheel andsurrounding a rotational axis of said wheel; and a rotary switch mountedon said rim, said rotary switch being operable to rotate on said rim,said rotary switch rotating in a plane, and said perimeter beinggenerally perpendicular to said plane at the location on said rim wheresaid rotary switch is mounted, said switch including contact componentssuch that rotation of said switch causes a signal to be sent from saidswitch.
 12. A switching system as recited in claim 11, wherein saidsignal is an electrical signal.
 13. A vehicle switching systemcomprising:a single switch having extreme positions and a plurality ofintermediate positions between said extreme positions; said switchincluding a touch element such that when said element is touched by anoperator between said extreme positions, a controller for said switchidentifies the location between said extreme position which has beentouched, said location being communicated to a controller for a vehiclecomponent, and said controller adjusting the vehicle component to alevel corresponding to said location; and said element being aspeedometer display for a vehicle, and an operator may touch saidspeedometer display at a location corresponding to a desired speed, anda control for said speedometer communicating with a vehicle speedcontrol, and adjusting vehicle speed to the desired speed.
 14. A switchas recited in claim 13, wherein said touch element is a resistance barpotentiometer.
 15. A switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said elementis a touch screen.
 16. A control system for a vehicle comprising:acontroller operable to communicate with vehicle components including atleast a vehicle seat position, and adjust parameters of said components,including at least a vehicle seat position, said controller beingoperable for storing preselected positions including at least a desiredseat position; and a signalling device which is portable and may becarried by an operator, said signalling device being operable to capturesaid preset settings from said control, and said signalling device beingoperable to send a signal to said controller communicating saidsettings, said controller communicating with said vehicle componentsupon receiving said signal from said signalling device to begin movingsaid components to said preset levels.
 17. A control system as recitedin claim 16, wherein said vehicle components also include the vehiclemirrors, and said controller is operable to communicate to adjust andstore desired parameters of said vehicle mirrors.
 18. A vehicleswitching system comprising:a single switch having extreme positions anda plurality of intermediate positions between said extreme positions:said switch including a touch element such that when said element istouched by an operator between said extreme positions, a controller forsaid switch identifies the location between said extreme position whichhas been touched, said location being communicated to a controller for avehicle component, and said controller adjusting the vehicle componentto a level corresponding to said location; and said switch is providedfor controlling a vehicle window.